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Neil deGrasse Tyson Accused of Sexual Assault and Misconduct by Former Colleagues

Three women have come forth with accusations of rape, drugging, and inappropriate touching, against the pop scientist.

Fox and National Geographic have launched an investigation into disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct against astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the producers of his Cosmos docu-series began looking into the claims after two women, Katelyn Allers (professor of physics and astronomy at Bucknell University) and Ashley Watson (a former assistant to deGrasse Tyson,) revealed their accounts of harassment and groping in a story published by Patheos on Thursday. A third woman, Tchiya Amet, claimed in a 2014 Patheos interview that deGrasse Tyson drugged and raped her while studying in the galactic astronomy program at The University of Texas in Austin.

A joint statement from Fox and National Geographic claims the producers were only just made aware of the allegations and that “We take these matters very seriously and we are reviewing the recent reports.” It goes on, “The credo at the heart of COSMOS is to follow the evidence wherever it leads. The producers of COSMOS can do no less in this situation. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded.”

Cosmos was slated for a second season, due in 2019. deGrasse Tyson has yet to offer a statement of his own.